CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — A former daycare center worker screamed that she was sorry for her role in leaving a 2-year-old child in a hot van where she died.
The child's mother is not happy with the sentence a judge gave the owner of the daycare and her daughter.
Marlo Fallings, owner of Marlo's Magnificent Daycare, received a 90-day sentence. Her daughter, Quantabia Hopkins, a teacher at the school, received a 30-day sentence.
The mother of 2-year-old Jazmin Green was very upset and said justice has failed her.
A jury convicted Fallings and Hopkins in April in connection with the death of the 2-year-old in June 2011.
Jazmin was left in the van in 93-degree temperatures for three hours. Prosecutors say Fallings and Hopkins failed to properly do a head count and make sure Jazmin was off the bus after a field trip.
That’s after the state had warned them to follow proper procedures.
Hopkins was emotional throughout the hearing and right before she was sentenced inside a Clayton County courtroom. She screamed as she explained how she was sorry.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I'm so sorry and I live with it every day of my life. And I’m so sorry; deeply. It was a bad accident and I’m so sorry,” cried Hopkins.
Fallings faced 12 months in jail. Hopkins faced 10 years. After court, Jazmin's mother was near tears as she called the sentence an injustice.
April McAlister said she couldn't believe the women got such light sentences after a baby died.
McAlister also was very upset the judge gave them 10 days to get their affairs in order before they head to jail.
Channel 2’s Tom Jones will have updates on that part of the story on Channel 2 Action News beginning at 4.